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1. Introduction

These guidelines are an update of the original Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Application Guidelines, approved by the General Assembly in June 2009 and first published in October 2009 following a revision of the Terms of Reference of the Peacebuilding Fund (A/63/818).

Much experience has been gained since the original guidelines were published and this version seeks to incorporate those lessons. In addition, the first PBF global workshop was held in July 2013 in Cape Town, resulting in an exchange of lessons and comments on the previous version of the Guidelines from colleagues and partners in the field. Furthermore, helpful comments were received from the UNDP’s Multi Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF-O), the PBF’s Administrative Agent, and other key partners in the UN system via consultations at headquarters (PCG).

These guidelines are intended to provide users with basic information on the PBF, especially on applying for, using and reporting on the funds. The primary users are intended to be the potential Fund users (UN agencies in the field) and Fund oversight agencies (members of the Joint Steering Committees etc).

The guidelines are web-based and accessible directly through the PBF website (www.unpbf.org). They are accompanied by various templates that are to be used for eligibility and budget requests related to the Immediate Response and Peacebuilding Recovery Facilities, as well as for monitoring and reporting.

Below is a chapter by chapter summary of the key changes to this version of the Guidelines from the March 2013 version:

Chapter 2: What is Peacebuilding

Addition of a couple of new resources and their links.

Chapter 3: The Peacebuilding Fund

Further clarification of the PBF intended added value to peacebuilding;

An expanded explanation of the scope and focus of the Four Priority Areas supported by PBF;

A strengthened section on gender responsiveness and the use of gender marker by PBF;

A new section on conflict sensitive programming;

A new section on risk-taking, innovation and catalytic-effects with PBF support;

A few clarifications on who can receive funding and the role of various actors, including the addition of bilateral donors and international financing instruments.

Chapter 4: Country Eligibility for Accessing PBF Funds

Further clarification of the timing of eligibility requests;

Further clarification of the step-by-step process for eligibility requests;

Further clarification of eligibility criteria.

Chapter 5: Immediate Response Facility

Clarification of maximum IRF funding amounts;

Further explanation of PBSO review criteria for IRFs;

Further clarification on project amendments, extensions and closure.

Chapter 6: Peacebuilding and Recovery Facility

Further clarification of potential PBSO ‘surge support’ for countries applying for PRF support;

Explanation of a phased approach to Priority Plans;

Simplification of the Priority Plan outline;

Further detail on the role of the Joint Steering Committee, Technical Committee and the PBF Secretariat, including the requirement of PBSO approval for PBF Secretariat projects;